Self-adjusting metallic gland packing



,iso

Patented Oct. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES CLAUD FRANKLIN IEIHOMAS, F NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE SELF-ADJUSTING METLLC GLAN D PACKING Application filed December 8, 1926. Serial No. 153,359.

This invention relates to improvement in gland packings, particularly, in a packing wherein a packing element may expand with the increase of temperature, thereby releascl' ing the tension on the other packing elements, and contract with decreasing temperature, thereby increasing the tension on the other packing elements.

A further object of this invention is to pro- A10. vide, a self-adjusting packing, particularly,

adapted for use in connection with reciprocating rods in common use on ammonia machines in the manufacture of ice. The packing, as described and disclosed herein, however, may be utilized on any suitable type of machine or device.

Other objects of this invention will ap'- pear from the following detailed description of the packing, and as disclosed in the single sheet of drawings which is herewith made a part of this application.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the gland packing elements in assembled relationship with a rod and gland.

Figure 2 represents a sectional view of Figure l, taken along 2 2, through the metal eX- pansion ring.

Figure 3 illustrates an end view of a metal oil lantern.

Figure 4 represents a fragmentary view of the metallic packing elements in operating relationship to the rod, disclosing the metallic packing in contact with the rod and the expansion space between the metallic packing elements.

Figure 5 illustrates, to reduced scale, an end elevational view of the metallic packings disclosing the expansion space between the different sections thereof.

In the modication of the self-adjusting metallic gland packing for reciprocatng ammonia compressorA rods, herein described and claimed, numeral 1 designates a connecting rod, or other portion of a machine, extending through packing box or gland elements 2 and 3. The usual packing space 4 is provided between the rod and the element 2, and extends peripherally exterior of the rod. Within the space 4 is adapted to be suitably positioned various packing elements consisting of fibrous packing 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The iibrous packing 5 is in the vform of a ring p0- sitioned inthe c-losed end of the cup or space 4 and is adapted to prevent ain- 55 monia, in the case of an ice-making machine, or otherwise, from seeping by on the outside of the packing, while the fibrous packing rings 6 and 7 are positioned in the opposite or open end of the cup and eo aie adapted as seal rings, the fibrous packing 8 and 9 being adapted as the inner rod contact packing element, and are, preferably, located concentrically with the packing ring elements 6 and 7. Vithin the cup 4, and 65 located near each end thereof in contact with the fibrous packing elements, are two metallic, preferably, cast iron packing cups 10 and 11, so positioned within the cup 4 that allowable spaces 12 and 13 may be left for eXpan- 70 sion effects.

` ment 11 is formed having a suitable extension The cup shaped packing ele- 14 for the purpose of properly retaining the y fibrous packing elements 6, 7, 8 and 9 within the cup 4. The inner end of the packing cup 75 11 being formed so as to receive metallic packing elements 15, 16 and 17, which are located peripherally of the rod 1 and in contact therewith, having grooves 19, 20 and 21 therein which act as oil or ammonia seals, also func- 80 tion to reduce friction on the rod, each of the metallic rings 15, 16 and 17 are formed in a plurality of sections in such a manner as to allow for expansion between the sections, as

clearly disclosed in Figures 2, 4 and 5. The 85 metallic packing cup l0, located near the closed end of the cup or space 4, is formed having an extension 22 for the purpose of retaining the fibrous packing 5 in position, the other end of the packing cup l0 being 90 provided with an extension 23 for the purpose of retaining the metallic packing elements 24, 25 and 26 in proper relationship with the rod 1, the packing elements 24, 25 and 26 being suitably provided with inner 95 grooves 27, 28 and 29 for the purpose of forming an oil and ammonia seal, also functioning to reduce the friction on the rod l. In the cup or space 4 is also suitabl positioned .'a plurality of cast iron or otfier suitable 1M VCS y P yeral surface of the expansion ring 34 as at metallic oil lantern rings 30 and 31 having oil holes 32 and 33 located therein. One peripheral edge of each of the oil lantern rings 30 and 31 is adapted to be brought into contact relationship with the metallic packing elements an 16. The opposite peripheral es or surfaces of the oil lantern rings and l'are adapted to contactrwith a suitable metal, such as steel, expansion ring 34 which functions as an expansion and contraction ring. The ring 34 will expand with increased temperature, thereby releasing tension on the other elements of the packing, and will contract with decreasing tem erature, thereby increasing the tension on t e packing suitable space being allowed between the 'ng box element 2 and the outer periph- 35 for allowing for expansion.

A suitable babbit ring or otherwise 36 is adapted to be placed Within the cap portion or space 4 at its outer or open end, as a follower ring. Y

`The acking ring elements 10, 11, 15, 17, 33, 32, 25 and 24 are provided Withrsuitable bevelled portions at approximately Y an le in the manner shown.

n o eration, this invention provides a seif-adJusting metallic packing, particularly adapted for reciprocating rods or otherwise, such as is found in refrigerating ma- 'chinery Where the ammonia process is used.

It has been found, after careful experiment, that the combination of packing elements, as herein described and claimed, is highly efficient and differs radically from the devices noW in common use. The steel expansion ring 34, as provided in this invention, will function to expand with increased temperature durin which time, obviously, tension on the pac ing will be released, and as the temperature decreases, the metal ring 34 will contract, thereby releasing the tension materially on the packing, points which are highly desirable, and lacking, to a great extent, in the forms of packing now on the market.

What I claim is 1. A Heating metallic packing comprising in a packing gland, spaced oppositely disposed packing cups and an intermediate eX- pansion ring, said cups and ring each of an external diameter less than the internal diand the adg'acent end packing member.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, characterized by the expansion ring having 

